Substituted phenylamine- and phenyloxy-quinazolines as herbicides

Abstract

The invention concerns novel compounds of the formula I ##STR1## The compounds are herbicides and in further embodiments the invention provides: processes for the preparation of compounds of formula I; intermediates useful in the preparation of compounds of formula I; compositions containing as active ingredient compounds of formula I; and processes for severely damaging or killing unwanted plants by applying to the plants or to the growth medium of the plants an effective amount of a compound of formula I.

We claim: 
     
       1. A compound of the formula II wherein: ##STR21## A, B, E, J, U, V and R 2  are hydrogen; D is chlorine; R 1  is methyl;   W is the group ##STR22##  wherein G is chosen from the group consisting of hydroxy, C 1  to C 6  alkoxy and the group OM wherein M is an alkali metal ion;   X is oxygen;   Y is chosen from oxygen and the group NR 6  wherein R 6  is chosen from hydrogen and methyl; and   k, 1 and n are 0.   
     
     
       2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein: A, B, E, J, U, V and R 2  are hydrogen;   D is chlorine;   R 1  is methyl;   W is the group ##STR23##  wherein G is chosen from the group consisting of hydroxy, C 1  to C 6  alkoxy and the group OM where M is sodium or potassium;   X and Y are both oxygen; and   k, l and n are 0.   
     
     
       3. A compound according to claim 1 wherein: A, B, E, J, U, V and R 2  are hydrogen;   D is chlorine;   R 1  is methyl;   W is the group ##STR24##  wherein G is chosen from the group consisting of hydroxy, C 1  to C 6  alkoxy and the group OM wherein M is sodium or potassium;   X is oxygen;   Y is the group NR 6  wherein R 6  is methyl; and   k, l and n are 0.   
     
     
       4. A compound according to claim 1 chosen from the group consisting of the methyl and ethyl esters of 2-[4-(6-chloroquinazolin-2-yloxy)phenox]propionic acid and 2-{4-[N-(6-chloroquinazolin-2-yl)-N-methylamino]-phenoxy}propionic acid. 
     
     
       5. The compound methyl 2-{4-[-(6-chloroquinazolin-2-yl)oxy]phenoxy}propionate. 
     
     
       6. A herbicidal composition consisting essentiallly of as active ingredient a compound as defined according to claim 1 and a carrier therefor. 
     
     
       7. A process for severely damaging or killing unwanted plants which process comprises applying to said plants, or to the growth medium of said plants, an effective amount of a compound as defined according to claim 1. 
     
     
       8. A process for selectively controlling the growth of monocotyledonous weeds in dicotyledonous crops which process comprises applying to said crop, or to the growth medium of said crop, a compound as defined according to claim 1 in an amount sufficient to severely damage or kill the weeds but insufficient to substantially damage the crop. 
     
     
       9. A process according to claim 7 wherein the compound is applied at a rate in the range from 0.005 to 20 kilograms per hectare.